Netanyahu hints at possibility of new hostage deal, says no plans to resign

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu carefully hinted at the possibility of another hostage release deal with the Hamas terror group on Saturday evening.

Netanyahu gave the press briefing alone, after the other War Cabinet members, Minister Benny Gantz and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, declined to participate in what is widely being interpreted as another sign of increasing tensions between the three senior Israeli leaders.

Last week, media reports suggested that Hamas has been showing greater readiness for another hostage deal and lowered its conditions for it.

“Hamas has issued all kinds of ultimatums that we’ve not accepted,” Netanyahu said, adding that he would agree to a possible deal if Israel’s conditions were met.

At the moment, he said, “We see a possibility, maybe, for movement… I don’t want to raise exaggerated expectations.”

The prime minister reiterated his conviction that only “a combination of military pressure and an informed approach in negotiations” would bring results.

“The war will continue for months,” he stressed. “My policy is clear: We continue to fight until the elimination of Hamas and the release of all our hostages.”

He noted that the Israelis have been telling him to keep the war going.

“I hear it from the families of fallen heroes, from the wounded, and from the commanders,” Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu said the army had scored some successes in the fighting so far, including eliminating about 8,000 terrorists but added that Israel has also paid “a painful price.”

Over the weekend, the IDF death toll from its ground operation rose to 170 over the weekend as the army announced the deaths of two more soldiers.

The question of what the Gaza Strip will look like after the war has been raised repeatedly in recent weeks, especially by American allies. Netanyahu said 'the day after' has been discussed by Israel's National Security Council (Malal) as many as eight times and will be brought before the cabinet this coming week.

When asked if he planned to resign from his role as prime minister at some point, Netanyahu stressed that he was completely focused on destroying Hamas at the moment.

“The only thing I’m going to resign from is Hamas,” he said.

He also briefly commented on the other fronts facing Israel at this time.

The Israeli army landed “harsh blows” against Hezbollah, Netanyahu noted, warning that “If Hezbollah expands the war – it will absorb blows that it has not dreamed of, and Iran as well.”

He emphasized that Iran is leading the “axis of evil” and orchestrating its attacks against Israel.

“We are acting against Iran all the time, everywhere, and I will not go into details… the goal that I have been working toward for many years, even now, remains as is: To do absolutely everything to prevent Iran from attaining nuclear weapons.”

“Regarding the Houthis – I spoke with many leaders about the need to form an international coalition to safeguard freedom of international navigation… In any case, we will not allow this threat to harm the citizens of Israel or the Israeli economy.”